Texas Wildbuds
Mimosa borealis
(Fragrant Mimosa)
Mimosa borealis, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7598
Mimosa borealis, Pace Bend Park, Travis Co. 7535
Mimosa borealis, Pace Bend Park, Travis Co. 7527
Mimosa borealis, Pace Bend Park, Travis Co. 7530
Mimosa borealis, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7704
Mimosa borealis, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7709
Mimosa borealis, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7602
Mimosa borealis, Pace Bend Park, Travis Co. 7565
| Scientific Name | Mimosa borealis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MIBO2 |
| Common Name | Fragrant Mimosa, Pink Mimosa | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26783 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | Texas A&M Reference | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Dry soils in brushy areas, flats and hillsides. Plant: Rounded, much-branched shrub 2 to 4 feet tall, rarely taller; slightly zig-zagging stems, bark usually light gray or straw-colored, with straight or slightly recurved, randomly-arranged, prickles. Leaves: Bi-pinnately compound with 1 to 3 pairs of primary leaflets (pinnae) and 3 to 7 pairs of secondary leaflets that are oblong to ovate, each about 1/8 to 1/4-inch long. Inflorescence: Dense pink, ball-shaped inflorescence about 1/2-inch in diameter with many very small individual flowers each with 5 petals and 8 to 11 protruding stamens with dark pink filaments, aging lighter, and yellow to pinkish anthers. Bloom Period: March to May. Fruit: Clusters of 1 to 5 pods, 1 to 2-3/8 inches long with 1 to 4 or 5 seeds; becoming brown when ripe. References: Vascular Plants of Williamson County, "Distinguishing M. borealis from M. texana by Bob Harms, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and iNaturalist. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025